241To Samuel Huntington, enclosing an Intercepted Letter from Leslie to Cornwallis, 10 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose your Excellency an intercepted Letter from Major General Leslie to Ld. Cornwallis. It was taken on a person endeavouring to pass through the Country from Portsmouth towards Carolina. When he was apprehended and a proposal made to search him, he readily consented to be searched but at the same time was observed to put his hand into his Pocket and carry some thing towards his mouth as...
242From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Berkeley, 2 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
More precise information of the force invading the enemy enables us to dispense with the aid of your militia required by my Letter of Octo: 22, as we also do with that of all the other counties north of Rappahanock and the proprietary line. We have thought it best to countermand the militia of those counties because they are farthest from the present scene of invasion, and because this may...
243From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Culpeper, 5 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to inform you [&c. as in the preceding Letter of May 5th] I am &c. FC ( Vi ); at head of text: “County Lieutenant of Culpeper.” Brackets supplied. The “preceding letter” refers to the letter preceding here, also. Below the text is written, “Culpeper 351,” the number of militia to be called.
244From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Shenandoah, 18 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The prisoners taken at the Battle of the Cowpens being to pass under the conduct of Mr. Hyrne or Mr. Boush Commissaries of Prisoners, they will be attended by the guard at present with them as far as Shenandoah Court House. There you will be pleased to have assembled such guard and at such time as either of these Gentlemen shall fix on, which guard must see them safely over the Potowmack. I am...
245From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Spotsylvania, 8 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The British [&c. as in the preceding letter to the words combined.] This movement of the enemy frees your part of the Country of every probability of Molestation, except from Privateers, against which the Counties uncalled on will be a sufficient Defence. You will therefore be pleased [&c.]1 to Richmond where they will receive orders to join Major General Marquis Fayette. When you shall be...
246From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Goochland, 28 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased immediately on Receipt of this to order to this place 40 of your Militia under a Captain, Lieutenant and Ensign to receive and escort to Winchester between one and two hundred Prisoners. I am &c, FC ( Vi ).
247From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Henrico, 19 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It being possible that the enemy may be destined for this place we have advised the Auditors, Treasurer, Register, Clerks of the Assembly, Chancery and General Court, the Clothier and Commissary of Naval Stores to prepare their Papers &c. for Removal. The same is doing with the Papers of the Council, War and Navy Office. As no persons can do this but the Clerks of those Offices and their...
248From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of King and Queen, 8 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The British [&c.] And whenever it is over they shall be discharged except the number called for in my letter of yesterday who will be retained to perform a full Tour. [&c. to the End.] I am FC ( Vi ); at head of text: “County Lieutenant of King & Queen.” Brackets supplied; for the portions of the text to be supplied here see TJ’s letter to the county lieutenants of Lunenburg, &c., this date .
249From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Berkeley, 21 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It having been reported impracticable for want of provisions to carry into execution the expedition proposed against the Indians the executive have appointed adopted the defensive plan of which you will find explained in the within advice of council . As you will readily collect from it the part which is to be carried into execution by your county, I have only to desire that you will...
250From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Shenandoah, 27 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
On the invasion which took place in January I called on your County by Letter to you for militia. Having never received any answer or return from you and knowing that no men from your County have been in the Field, I must suppose that the Express to whom we intrusted the Letter has deceived us. You will be pleased now to send 217 of your militia [&c. as in the preceding Letter to the County...
251From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Augusta, 18 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Before the receipt of this letter I expect you will have furnished Mr. Hyrne Depty. Comsy. Genl. of Prisoners with a guard for the safe custody of the prisoners taken at the Battle of the Cowpens. You will be pleased to continue that guard on duty with the prisoners untill releived by one from Shenandoah as ordered. I [am] with much respect, &c. FC ( Vi ).
252From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Culpeper, 22 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It being necessary that the militia in Service below should be relieved you will be pleased to send 351 of your militia under proper Officers to Williamsburg. I am informed a portion of your militia are already in motion under a Call from General Weedon. Necessity obliged the Executive on the first of Arnold’s Invasion and before his Object was fixed to entrust a General Officer with Authority...
253From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Greenbrier, 24 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
A powerful army [as in the preceding letter to “by the way of’] Montgomery court house where they will receive under their escort 1000℔. of powder and 1500℔. Lead and a large number of pack horses to be carried to the falls of Ohio. From their arrival at Montgomery court house subsistance and the means of transportation of baggage will be found by Mr. Rowland Maddison who is appointed to act...
254From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Hampshire, 16 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter is founded on representations received from the Counties of Frederic and Berkely. I have not heard that the same aversion to the service has arisen in your county, and I am led to hope it has not from many considerations: Lest it should however, and you should be delayed by sending here, I inclose you a copy of my letter to the County Lieutenants of the other Counties and...
255From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Chesterfield, 19 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As I have hopes that 280 men of your County may arm themselves, and I do not think it proper that a greater number should be sent from thence, you will be pleased to order that number of the most effective men to proceed to Watkin’s Mills at which place they shall receive further orders, as soon as further intelligence shall enable me to point them properly. I am Sr. &c &c. FC ( Vi ).
256From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Frederick, 11 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received a Letter from Colo. Taylor proposing the Discharge of the regiment of Guards and have directed such Part of it as is entitled to be Discharged, and the Residue to remain to guard the Convention Prisoners. I think it necessary to inform you that it is not intended that the Deficiency shall be supplied by militia. The several Duties now lying on the Militia for the Eastern,...
257From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Gloucester, 2 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
You are desired immediately to embody so many of your Militia as you can arm, if Colo. Innes shall require so many for the Purpose of defending the Battery at Gloucestertown, and to march them there immediately under proper officers. I am &c., FC ( Vi ).
258From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Washington and Certain Other Counties, 28 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Lord Cornwallis from Carolina and a Reinforcement of 2000 Men from New York having joined the hostile Army which was before here and crossed James River renders it necessary for us to bring a very great Force into the Field. As I have reason to believe you have not sent the whole Number ordered to the Southward by my Letter of You will now be pleased to send under proper Officers whatever...
259From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants, 19 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
THE invasion of our country by the enemy at the Close of the last Session of Assembly, their pushing immediately to this place, the dispersion of the publick papers, which for the purpose of saving them necessarily took place, and the injury done at the printing office, have been so many causes operating unfortunately to the delay of transmitting you those acts of Assembly which required...
260From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants, 30 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
THE act of October 1780, For recruiting this state’s quota of troops to serve in the continental army , allowed persons to exempt themselves from certain military duties, by enlisting a soldier after the first day of the ensuing month of April , to serve during the war, and delivering him to a person authorized by the Governour to receive him. Sensible that the burthens of your office are...
261From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Fauquier and Certain Other Counties, 14 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to desire you to send of your Militia under proper officers with such good Arms as they have, and especially Rifles, to rendezvous at Williamsburg on the 1st. Day of May and to continue in Service two Months from the time of their getting to the Rendezvous. As Circumstances may render it necessary to change the Rendezvous, you will be pleased to order them by the way of where they will...
262From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of James City and Certain Other Counties, [24 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to order to on receipt of this of the militia of your County to remain on duty only till releifs ordered from Counties less exposed shall arrive. I hope this call will be thought less heavy on your County as we would avoid calling on it to perform a full tour of duty, and only wish them to serve during those short intervals between the necessary discharge of the militia and arrival...
263From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Hanover and Certain Other Counties, 12 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
You will be pleased to send effective men of your militia immediately to Williamsburg under proper officers. I would advise that they carry what good firelocks they have. Deficiencies I expect may be supplied. I must beseech you to lose no Time in executing this order as the aid of these men is immediately wanting. Should the Call of such a Proportion of your militia render the prosecution of...
264From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Chesterfield and Dinwiddie, 18 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Not knowing where the very rapid march of Ld. Cornwallis may terminate, I think it necessary to desire that every man of your Militia who has a firelock or for whom one can be procured by impressing or otherwise be immediately embodied under proper Officers. I do not herein give orders for their march because you are so convenient that you can without it’s causing but little delay give me...
265From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Buckingham and Amherst, 22 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board approve of your having complied with the Call for militia on the Invasion of our Country, tho’ that Call did not proceed immediately from the Executive. Necessity obliged us on the first of Arnold’s (&c. as in the Letter to the County Lieutenant of Culpeper). FC ( Vi ). The remainder of the letter to the two counties was the same as that indicated in the note to the letter to the...
266From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Frederick and Certain Other Counties, 4 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The late misfortune to the southward renders it necessary that we send a reinforcement of militia from this State to assist in stopping the progress of the enemy should they be able to do no more. I have in the first place required the counties which lately sent militia to the southward, to furnish now so many as failed to march then of the quota called on, but to make up a substantial aid...
267From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Henrico and Certain Other Counties, 4 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Enemy having last Night past far up James River and seeming to point immediately to this Place or Petersburg, I must desire you without a moments Delay to send every man of your County able to bear Arms to rendezvous at Westham. Let them come in small Detachments as they can be collected and not wait to be formed into Companies. I am Sir your mo obt. hble. Servt., FC ( Vi ). At head of...
268From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of King William and Certain Other Counties, 12 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As your Militia is now returned or on their return home we have thought it necessary to take off the Suspension of the Act of October 1781 for recruiting this States Quota of Troops to serve in the Continental Army and to desire you to proceed to the raising the New Levies required from your County by that Law, and sending them to the Rendezvous as directed in my Letter of January 19th. 1781....
269From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Hampshire and Berkeley, 24 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
A powerful army forming by our enemies in the south and an extensive combination of savages in the west will probably render the ensuing campaign exceedingly active, and particularly call forth the exertions of this state. It is our duty to look forward in time and to make a proper division of our force between these two objects. There seems but one method of preventing the savages from...
270From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Monongalia and Ohio, 24 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
A powerful army &c. [as in letter to county lieutenants Hampshire and Berkeley to ‘proper officers’ and leave out from thence and insert] to be rendezvouzed at Pittsburg precisely by the first of march to proceed by the way of the falls of Ohio for an expedition under Colo. Clarke into the country beyond that river and to continue in service during the expedition; as to which Colo. Clarke is...